The art of single-tasking

Revision can be tough in this Age of Distraction.  It's difficult not to read and answer texts as we study, or not to check our Facebook page as we type.  But, on this last weekend before exams, it's worth single-tasking over the next few days.

1. Have a plan

There's no need to spend a lot of time of this, but it is important to set out your goals before you start.  List the subject areas you need to cover and split your time up between them.  You may need to spend a little more time on a more difficult subject; it's usually good to start with the subject you find most challenging.

2. Ditch the distractions

Divide your time into "study time" and "relaxation time".  Experts recommend regular breaks, e.g. studying for 50 minutes followed by a 10 minute break.  These days, we often multitask without realizing it.   Most of us have internet access on our laptops and we carry our mobile phones with us at all times.  For this weekend, during "study time", we should switch off and promise ourselves to only check our devices during "relaxation time".  If you spend your "study time" entirely focused on your revision, then you get to enjoy guilt-free "relaxation time"!

3. Take care of yourself

In addition to regular breaks, it is important to remember that eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep all contribute to good concentration skills and better memory.

Best of luck with your revision...

Sources:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2013/05/08/why-single-tasking-makes-you-smarter/

http://www2.yk.psu.edu/student-affairs/2012/02/learning-and-multitasking-can-we-do-both/

(Image: "Revision" by jim crossley via Flickr)

Have you printed / saved important study documents?

Most of you are probably planning to spend the weekend preparing for the exams - now is a good time to ensure you have everything you need!

Your Moodle notes, past exam papers, x-drive etc. are available online. But occasionally access to online resources can be lost due to poor broadband, network issues, computer faults, lost passwords etc. Be sure to save or print copies of important documents so that you will have access to them between now and the exams.

Best of luck with your revision!

  

Preparing exam question answers

Are you preparing to write essay-style answers to your exam questions?  If so, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Essay questions do not just test how much data you know.  They allow you to show how the different topics that you have covered for that subject fit together, and how your own opinions and conclusions fit with the theories and concepts you have been studying.  Essay questions show that you can adapt your knowledge to the question on the exam paper, and that you can plan and organise that knowledge in order to answer the question that is being asked.


Begin by being clear about what is required of you:

• how many questions do you need to answer
• how many marks are available for each question
• how much time do you have for each question

Jot down a brief schedule for yourself:

• jot down the time you have for each questions, e.g. a question worth 40 marks should get about twice the time that a question worth 20 marks gets
• leave at least 10 minutes at the end to re-read each question so that you can pick up any obvious spelling mistakes, unclear writing or other problems

Don't start to write until you know what is required:

• read the question 2-3 times.  Be sure that you understand what is being asked of you, e.g. are you being asked to describe something in detail, to identify factors by listing them, to reflect on a statement by including your own opinions...
• you must answer the question that was asked.  It is tempting to include unnecessary information (after going to the bother of learning it!)  You will only be marked on the question that was asked; don't expect the marker to seek out relevant information or to figure out what you mean to say 

Jot down a brief outline of the answer:

• in exams, you have a limited amount of time and a limited ability to edit.  So, it's vital to plan your answer before you start to write.  Using bullet points or mind maps is a good way to decide how to structure your ideas
• your opening paragraph should state the main premise of your argument and briefly describe what the essay will include.  The body of the essay consists of paragraphs; each paragraph should focus on one ideas or topic.  The paragraphs must flow together, so spare a little thought for how you will connect these ideas.  The concluding paragraph should recap your argument and may include your own concluding opinions
• be sure to back your opinions up with evidence from the material that you have studied during the year

Recap

• leave yourself at least 10 minutes, at the end, to re-read what you have written and to pick up on any mistakes that are easy to rectify

Sources: 

http://lsc.cornell.edu/Sidebars/Study_Skills_Resources/exam.pdf

http://www.uwlax.edu/biology/communication/answeringessayquestions.htm

(Image: "Philosophy" by Michael Biech via Flickr)

Handy links

Are you studying at home this week?  Here are some handy links for those of you off-campus!

Exam timetable
Exam rules and regulations

Previous exam papers (on-campus and off-campus access)
Accessing your X drive  (on-campus and off-campus access)

How to reset your password

Accessing the library databases
Renewing your library books online
Reserving a library book online


(image: "Links by Clips" by Keith Ramsey via Flickr)

Are your library books due back today?

The majority of books, that were issued before Christmas, are due to be returned today.  Don't be late returning them or you may face overdue fines!



You can renew your library books online here (just have a look at this short tutorial if you're not sure how!)  If you don't know your library PIN, email us to reset it at LibraryInfo@itb.ie.

(top image: "Late" by Evan via Flickr)

We're open!

Happy New Year!
Are you trying to catch up with some revision?  The Library and Student Information Desk are open today and tomorrow, from 9.15am - 5.00pm.  Normal opening hours will resume from Monday!


(Image: "open" by Rupert Ganzer via Flickr)

Happy Christmas!

A very happy Christmas to everyone who is finishing up today!  Best wishes from all the staff in the Library and Student Information Desk.

 

 

 

And for those of you who aren't finishing up just yet we'll be open until 5pm today, and we'll be open from 9.15am - 1pm on Monday.

 

 

 

(image: "Catching the christmas tree" by Frits Ahlefeldt-Laurvig via Flickr)